HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-08-25 PB Minutes FinalPage 1 of 5
TOWN OF CORTLANDVILLE PLANNING BOARD
Minutes of Regular Meeting - Tuesday, 25 August 2020 – 7:30 PM
Water & Sewer Garage – Next to Town Hall at 3577 Terrace Road – Cortland, NY
Board Members (*absent) Others Present
Christopher Newell, Chairman Bruce Weber, (T) Planning/Zoning Officer
Nicholas Renzi Joan E. Fitch, Board Secretary
Laird Updyke John DelVecchio, Town Attorney
Nasrin Parvizi
Ann Hotchkin
Applicants & Public Present
David Spotts for SSC Cortlandville II & III, Applicant; Caryn Mlodzianowski for Bohler Engineering MA,
LLC, Applicant; Jim & Mike Reeners, Applicants; Herman Endress, Applicant; Brian Stoos & Chris
Stroud, Applicant, for Cipriani Energy Group; Pam Jenkins, Tim Buhl, Michael Stokoe, William
Nichols.
REGULAR MEETING
The Regular Meeting of the Town of Cortlandville Planning Board was called to order at 7:30
p.m. by Chairman Chris Newell.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – 4 AUGUST 2020
A motion was made by Member Nick Renzi to approve the Town Planning Board Minutes of 4
August 2020, as submitted. The motion was seconded by Member Ann Hotchkin, with the
vote recorded as follows:
Ayes: Chairman Newell Nays: None
Member Renzi
Member Parvizi
Member Updyke
Member Hotchkin
Motion carried.
This becomes Action #43 of 2020.
NEW BUSINESS
Herman Endress & Joanne Prezioso, Applicants/Reputed Owners – 3455 NYS Route 215 – TM
#96.00-14-13.000 – Subdivision of Land
Chairman Newell recognized Mr. Endress who explained that he owned this 6.2±-acre property that
he wished to subdivide in half and construct a small residence on the vacant piece. He also would
be purchasing a 40-foot strip from his neighbor (Sinetar – TM #96.00-14-14.000) to allow room for
the new septic system, all as is shown on the annotated copy of a January 2020 survey map by R.
James Stockwin, PLS, which accompanied the application.
After a very brief discussion, a motion was made by Member Renzi to approve the subdivision
of land, as requested. The motion was seconded by Member Hotchkin, with the vote
recorded as follows:
Ayes: Chairman Newell Nays: None
Member Renzi
Member Parvizi
Member Updyke
Member Hotchkin
Motion carried.
This becomes Action #44 of 2020.
(T) Cortlandville Planning Board Regular Meeting Minutes 25 August 2020
Page 2 of 5
Steven & Toby Sinetar, Applicants/Reputed Owners – 3425 NYS Route 215 – TM #96.00-14-
14.000 – Lot Line Adjustment
Chairman Newell recognized Herman Endress who explained that he would be purchasing a 40-foot
strip from his neighbors, the Sinetar, (see Action #44 above) to allow room for his new septic
system, all as is shown on the annotated copy of a January 2020 survey map by R. James
Stockwin, PLS, which accompanied the application. Member Hotchkin asked if he had checked
with the County Health Department, and Mr. Endress stated he had, and that was why the
additional 40-foot strip was needed
With no further discussion, a motion was made by Member Hotchkin to approve the lot line
adjustment, as requested. The motion was seconded by Member Renzi, with the vote
recorded as follows:
Ayes: Chairman Newell Nays: None
Member Renzi
Member Parvizi
Member Updyke
Member Hotchkin
Motion carried.
This becomes Action #45 of 2020.
OLD BUSINESS
Jim Reeners, Applicant/Church of the Redeemer, Reputed Owner – 229 & 1176 Tompkins
Street – TM #s 96.06-01-15.210 & 96.31-01-11.000 – Site Plan Review for Proposed
Residential Housing Development
(Reference is made to this Board’s Minutes of 30 June 2020 for project details.)
Chairman Newell recognized the applicant and his son, Michael, who distributed a revised Site Plan
indicating the addition of a 12 by 14 ft. patio and a privacy fence dividing off each unit. Jim also
reported that a problem situation was encountered with a manhole at the right-hand corner of the
property which was actually sold to the adjacent owner, probably mistakenly, making it unavailable
for their use. After a thorough investigation for a solution, a meeting was held with the City, and
they have agreed to allow the applicant to utilize one of their manholes.
Chairman Newell asked if there were computer-generated photos of what the units would look like,
or of any landscaping that was planned. Mr. Reeners stated that they did and his son showed them
to the Board. Member Renzi added that what the Board was looking for are the typical drawings
they normally see as Site Plans, lighting plans, details, landscaping plans, etc. Mr. Reeners stated
that his engineer, Timothy C. Buhl, PE, would be providing this information. Tim addressed the
Board and said that a lot more information will be provided to the Board as the project progresses.
He did not have the final details on some of the items in order to complete the plans. Tonight’s
submittal is preliminary, and he would prefer for it to go to County Planning to receive their input
before proceeding. They are currently working on the Stormwater Management Plan. Member
Renzi commented that everything should be finalized for both the Board and the County.
Member Laird Updyke questioned whether or not County Planning would have enough information
to conduct a review. PZO Bruce Weber responded that they would base their review on what
information they receive. Mr. Reeners commented that the COVID situation has made completion
of this project “a nightmare.” They had hoped to construct the Maintenance Building this fall and
get the foundation in the ground for the first building. They are now being pressured by Mother
Nature.
(T) Cortlandville Planning Board Regular Meeting Minutes 25 August 2020
Page 3 of 5
Member Hotchkin asked about a sign, similar to The Park, and Mr. Reeners answered that it was
on the Site Plan. Member Renzi commented to the Board that they submit what has been provided
to the County with a note from the developer or the engineer explaining that “here’s our submittal
at this point; we are in the process of doing X-Y-Z which will be forthcoming.”
With no further discussion, a motion was made by Member Renzi to send this application to
the Cortland County Planning Board for their review. The motion was seconded by Member
Updyke, with the vote recorded as follows:
Ayes: Chairman Newell Nays: None
Member Renzi
Member Parvizi
Member Updyke
Member Hotchkin
Motion carried.
This becomes Action #46 of 2020.
SSC Cortlandville II LLC, Applicant/Reputed Owner – 4242 Bell Crest Drive AND SSC
Cortlandville III LLC - 4240 Bell Crest Drive - TM #86.00-02-01.100 – Conditional Permits &
Aquifer Protection District Special Permits – Proposed Solar Projects
(Reference is made to this Board’s Minutes of 4 August 2020 for additional details.)
Chairman Newell recognized David Spotts, representing the applicant who was seeking approval of
these two 5 MW solar power facilities on the subject parcel of land, all as shown and described in
the materials accompanying the applications which were presented at the 4 August 2020 meeting of
this Board. Member Renzi provided the applicant with his comments, and Mr. Spotts stated they
appreciated those comments and had made the appropriate corrections. He also commented that
they were treating this project as a Type I Action under SEQRA and will be treating it as such and
have submitted their LEAF.
Member Renzi stated he had reviewed the changes that were made and then proceeded with his
own comments regarding this project, a copy of which has been placed on file for the record. A copy
of Member Renzi’s comments was given to Mr. Spotts.
Member Renzi acknowledged receipt of two letters, one from Catholic Cemeteries which is an
interested party in the SSC Cortlandville II facility, as explained in their letter of 13 August 2020,
and a letter from Anne McLorn, a neighbor of the proposed farm, dated 20 August 2020, a copies of
which have been placed on file for the record, and posted on the Town’s website.
Chairman Newell reviewed the next steps with Town Attorney John DelVecchio. He also strongly
recommended that the Board receive outside professional assistance, and Attorney DelVecchio will
contact Attorney Patrick Snyder, PE, for his assistance with the Long Environmental Assessment
Form under SEQRA; he noted that Attorney Snyder had thirty years of SEQRA experience. There
will also be a Public Hearing scheduled. Town Attorney DelVecchio stated that he understood that
Attorney/Engineer Snyder was considered a “guru on SEQRA,” ands that the Code allowed this.
There is also a provision that what is being proposed is not allowed on prime farmland unless this
Board feels it is appropriate.
Member Renzi commented that if Patrick Snyder is not available, another name that had come up
was John Stidd, the attorney for the IDA. Attorney DelVecchio stated that payment of attorney’s
fees will be by the applicant. Member Hotchkin said that Attorney Snyder would be a good choice.
Member Renzi reported that this Board had approved other solar projects on prime farmland, but
what was being proposed was bigger, more complicated, and more impactful to the community;
that’s one of the reasons we should obtain some outside help.
(T) Cortlandville Planning Board Regular Meeting Minutes 25 August 2020
Page 4 of 5
With no further discussion, a motion was made by Member Renzi to forward this application to
the Cortland County Planning Department for their review. The motion was seconded by
Member Hotchkin, with the vote recorded as follows:
Ayes: Chairman Newell Nays: None
Member Renzi
Member Parvizi
Member Updyke
Member Hotchkin
Motion carried.
This becomes Action #47 of 2020.
Guggenheim Development Services, LLC, c/o Bohler Engineering MA, LLC, Applicant/Route
13 Partners, LLC, Reputed Owner – 840 NYS Route 13 - Conditional Permit & Aquifer
Protection District Special Permit – Proposed Jiffy Lube Facility
(Reference is made to this Board’s meeting Minutes of 4 August 2020 for additional details.)
Chairman Newell recognized Caryn Mlodzianowski of Bohler Engineering (Albany, NY), representing
the applicant who was seeking approval to construct a new 300 SF Jiffy Lube facility at this
location, as shown on the plans, etc., accompanying the application. Ms. Mlodzianowski provided
additional information to the Board; Member Renzi complimented her on the submittals.
Landscaping had been addressed, including trees and bushes. Also, a monument sign was being
proposed instead of a pylon sign. More green space was added, and architectural plans were
submitted which enhanced the look of the building.
Ms. Mlodzianowski acknowledged receipt of the County Planning Board’s comments with regard to
this project, and they agree with all of them in their report.
Member Renzi thanked her for addressing the Town’s Design and Development Guidelines, and
reviewed with her his comments, a copy of which she received and has also been placed on file.
At the conclusion of the discussion, a motion was made by Member Renzi to approve the
Conditional Permit, as requested, with a recommendation made to the Town Board that they
issue an Aquifer Protection District Permit, and act as Lead Agency under SEQRA. The
motion was seconded by Member Hotchkin, with the vote recorded as follows:
Ayes: Chairman Newell Nays: None
Member Renzi
Member Parvizi
Member Updyke
Member Hotchkin
Motion carried.
This becomes Action #48 of 2020.
Christopher H. Stroud, for Cipriani Energy Group Corp., Applicant/Thomas M. Dehaven,
Reputed Owner Cipriani Energy Group Corp. – 1585 Tower Road – Conditional Permit &
Aquifer Protection District Special Permit - Proposed 3.0 MW Solar Power Facility
(Reference is made to this Board’s meeting Minutes of 4 August 2020 for additional details.)
Chairman Chris Newell recognized Chris Stroud, representing Cipriani Energy Group who is
proposing to construct a 3.0 MW solar project facility at the Tower Road location, Brian Stoos,
Environmental Planning Manager of TRC Companies in West Seneca, NY, Cipriani’s engineering
firm, and Catherine McDermott, part of the NYSERDA Internship Program.
(T) Cortlandville Planning Board Regular Meeting Minutes 25 August 2020
Page 5 of 5
Mr. Stroud advised that he has provided the LEAF under SEQRA, and the layout of the access road
which should prohibit visibility of the project. Member Renzi read aloud his own comments
regarding the submittal, a copy of which was provided to Mr. Stroud and placed on file for the
record. The project site does not contain prime farmland soil classifications.
When asked about the project’s timetable, Mr. Stroud stated they hoped to get through the
permitting phase before snow flies so they can construct as soon the weather permits—perhaps late
February or early March—and generate electricity in the summer of 2021.
Member Hotchkin asked about a decommissioning plan, and Attorney DelVecchio responded that
that should be part of the application before a Building Permit is issued. Mr. Stroud explained the
types of panels that were used and, when asked by Member Parvizi, advised they were made in the
East—Cambodia, Viet Nam, etc.
At the conclusion of their discussion, a motion was made by Member Renzi to send the
applications to the Cortland County Planning Department for their review. The motion was
seconded by Member Hotchkin, with the vote recorded as follows:
Ayes: Chairman Newell Nays: None
Member Renzi
Member Parvizi
Member Updyke
Member Hotchkin
Motion carried.
This becomes Action #49 of 2020.
Mr. Stroud asked if the Lead Agency had been identified for this project, and Town Attorney
DelVecchio responded that the Town Board will act as such under SEQRA.
OTHER MATTERS
• Member Renzi stated that he had, with the assistance of County Planning, prepared a
summary of all the solar farm projects and would be providing a copy to Board members.
• Chairman Newell thanked Member Parvizi for submitting her comments on density of solar
farms. Comments were discussed with the Board, as was the workshop already held.
Member Renzi added there was room for improvement in the solar farm law, but time was
needed to get it in place; perhaps a moratorium. Attorney DelVecchio will be discussing solar
farms with the Town Board and also taxing possibilities; taxing is a complicated issue.
ADJOURNMENT
At 9:10 p.m., a motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Member Renzi, seconded by Member
Hotchkin, with all members present voting in the affirmative.
Joan E. Fitch, Board Secretary Draft e-mailed to Town Clerk & AR,
JD, PB Members, DD, BW, KM & DC on 9/9/20.
Approved 9/23/20.